About this tour
Chatkal Range Horseback Tour — Western Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan
The Chatkal Range (Western Tien Shan) is one of the least explored and least visited regions of Kyrgyzstan.
This exclusive horseback tour in Chatkal offers a rare opportunity to venture into the heart of the wild Western Tien Shan, far from tourist routes and civilization. Witness one of Kyrgyzstan’s most remote and picturesque regions while experiencing a true mountain adventure on horseback.
The route traverses the pristine nature of Chatkal, crossing mountain rivers, alpine jayloo pastures, and high-altitude lakes. Carefully planned transport logistics ensure a comfortable and well-organized journey.
This is not just a horseback trek — it is a full immersion into Kyrgyzstan’s wild nature, nomadic culture, and mountain life, where each day is spent in the saddle and evenings under the starry highland sky.
Tour Highlights
- Region: Chatkal Range, Western Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan
- Format: 9-day horseback tour with transport support
- Daily riding: 6–9 hours on remote trails
- Distance: ~85 km
- Group size: 8–10 riders
- Accommodation: Tented camps and guesthouses
- Meals: Traditional Kyrgyz cuisine with a beshbarmak masterclass
- Landscapes: Alpine pastures, mountain passes, rivers, forests, high-altitude lakes
- Season: May – September
Why Choose This Chatkal Horseback Tour
- Ride into one of Kyrgyzstan’s most remote regions with experienced local guides
- Experience the wild beauty of the Western Tien Shan
- Immerse yourself in authentic nomadic culture and mountain life
- Small groups, reliable horses, and professional horse guides ensure safety and comfort
- This is a genuine Kyrgyzstan horse trekking adventure, far from crowds and mass tourism
Who This Tour Is For
This Kyrgyzstan horseback adventure is perfect for travelers who:
- Seek a real horseback adventure
- Have prior riding experience
- Value authentic culture and wild nature
- Want to see Chatkal like local shepherds
- Prefer well-organized itineraries with reliable logistics
Chatkal is not open to everyone — but it will open for you.
Program
Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
Free time for currency exchange and SIM cards
Dinner at the ethnic teahouse Navat (à la carte)
07:30 — Breakfast at the hotel
08:00 — Departure to Tash-Kumyr
Lunch en route at a café (à la carte)
17:00 — Arrival in Tash-Kumyr and hotel check-in
Dinner at a local café (à la carte)
Breakfast at a café
08:00 — Departure to Kanysh-Kiya via Chapchama Pass and Chatkal Valley
Lunch in Kerben (tandoor samsa) or picnic en route
15:00 — Arrival in Kanysh-Kiya and check-in at guesthouse
Horseback orientation ride and introduction to grooms
Traditional Kyrgyz dinner and beshbarmak masterclass
Breakfast at guesthouse
Transfer by vehicle to Kara-Suu stream (20 km)
Begin horseback ride from Kara-Suu jayloo to Ayuu-Chachy jayloo
Approx. 6 hours riding, 20–23 km
Lunch in the open nature
Arrival at Orus-Tokoy Valley, set up camp in juniper and birch forest
Overnight in tents at Ayuu-Chachy Valley
Dinner at camp
Breakfast at camp
Morning ride across Chatkal mountain slopes toward Kara-Toko
Continue to Kutal
Overnight in tents
Approx. 8–9 hours riding, 30–35 km
Lunch and dinner in nature
Breakfast at camp
Morning ride to Besh-Bashat Valley
Distance approx. 30 km, 7–8 hours riding, mostly downhill
Lunch en route
Ride along Kara-Toko river, then along the right bank of Chatkal River, cross to left bank into Besh-Bashat Valley
Camp setup in Chatkal River floodplain
Dinner at camp
Breakfast at camp
Leave Chatkal floodplain, ride through Chukurchak Valley with its famous lakes
Route along Chatkal River, left then right bank, up Chukurchak Valley
Distance approx. 30 km, 6–7 hours riding
Lunch in nature
Pickup by vehicle at the lakes and transfer to Kanysh-Kiya
Check-in at guesthouse, traditional Kyrgyz dinner
Breakfast at guesthouse
Departure toward Uch-Terek on the shore of Toktogul Reservoir
Chapchama Pass, descent via Terek-Sai
Lunch in Kerben café
Continue via Tash-Kumyr and arrival at Toktogul
Hotel check-in
Breakfast at hotel
Departure to Bishkek
Lunch en route at a café
Arrival in Bishkek, hotel check-in
Breakfast at hotel (lunch boxes provided for early flights)
Transfer to airport
Price
1/2 DBL price
Bookings are accepted for groups of 6 guests or more
| Group Size |
6 |
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
12 |
| Price per Guest |
1300 |
1250 | 1150 | 1100 | 1050 |
1050 |
Included / Excluded
- 4WD transportation for the entire tour
- Accompanying guide
- Chef / Cook
- Camping equipment: tents and more
- Horse groom (1 per 5 guests)
- Horse rental with traditional decorations
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Accommodation in Bishkek hotel, double room, 1 night
- Accommodation in Tash-Kumyr hotel, double room, 1 night
- Accommodation in Kanysh-Kiya guesthouse, 1 night
- Accommodation in Uch-Terek hotel, double room, 1 night
- Accommodation in double tent
- Beshbarmak cooking masterclass
- Camping consumables / supplies
- Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa
- Bar Menu
- Single Accommodation in Hotels, Yurts, or Tents
